2 jawans, 4 militants killed in encounters

One soldier Naik Neeraj Kumar who was injured during the operation succumbed to his injuries.

With an increase in ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu region, the Valley too has seen a spurt in cross-border infiltrations. On Sunday, four militants and two soldiers were killed in two separate incidents in Kupwara when the Army engaged the infiltrating militants.

Early on Sunday morning, the Army spotted a group of infiltrating militants at Kalaroos, deep inside the Line of Control. When challenged by the Army, the militants opened fire leading to a fierce encounter in which four militants were killed. “The encounter is over and we have killed four militants. One of our men was also injured and he succumbed later,” a Defence spokesman said in Srinagar. “The encounter started at 5 AM and lasted for several hours”.

Sources said the militants had infiltrated few days back from Machil sector in Kupwara and were on their way to Kupwara. When they reached the Dhok Behak village, eight kilometers from Kalaroos, they were intercepted by Army’s 41 and 45 Rashtirya Rifles (RR). The spokesman said the entire group of infiltrating militants had been eliminated. “I think, there were only four militants,” he said. “They were holed-up and there was little chance of escape”. Police, however, said two-three more militants, who were part of the group, may be hiding in the area.

The Kalaroos infiltration was the second attempt by the militants to cross over the LoC in less than 12 hours. Revealing details of another incident, the spokesman said, “With a spurt in infiltrations, the Army has stepped up counter infiltration operations along the LoC. In one such operation, at Kunda Nar area of Keran sector, a contact was established with militants. In the exchange of fire, a soldier was injured who later succumbed”. Though the Army spokesman said the operation to track militants in the area continues, sources claimed the militants had managed to escape after the shootout.